Barnsley manager hits out 'disrespectful' Dominik Szoboszlai as Arne Slot makes feelings clear

Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has drawn criticism from the Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane, who was left upset at the goal his side scoring at Anfield

Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane on the touchline at Anfield.(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane said it was "disrespectful" of Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai to attempt a backheel inside his own penalty area during the FA Cup tie at Anfield.

With Liverpool 2-0 up and Szoboszlai playing well, the Hungary midfielder, who had opened the scoring with a brilliant goal from distance, tried something overly elaborate six yards from goal. Giorgi Mamardashvili could do nothing as former Reds academy player Adam Phillips netted from close range.

"I'm unbelievably proud of the lads, I thought they were outstanding," Hourihane said. "They stuck with the plan from minute one until the very end. We got a bit tired towards the end, as you can imagine, because we've gone so long without the ball at times.

"I thought we started the game so, so well. We stuck in there at 2-1. They are bringing on top player after top player and that was probably their best team out towards the end because they were making sure that they got over the line themselves.

"I thought my lads were unbelievable. We had chances ourselves. We got the goal to get back in it at 2-1. I wanted the lads to put in a performance that they could come away from and be immensely proud of and they can certainly do that."

Barnsley threatened to cause an upset, but Liverpool got over the line in the end. While the 4-1 scoreline probably flattered the Reds, it was a game that they should have won even more easily.

Arne Slot was left angered by Dominik Szoboszlai's bizarre error that led to Barnsley's goal in the FA Cup tie(Image: )

"I'm a little bit disappointed at our goal really," Hourihane continued. "I don't think the player does that against Chelsea or Arsenal or in a Champions League game, so I was a little bit disappointed with that if I'm honest."

Szoboszlai didn't want to dwell on the error when he was asked about it on TNT Sports at the final whistle. "Sorry for the team," the 25-year-old said. "I made it hard for us with an easy mistake. Football happens. We move on."

Arne Slot was also asked about it, and he wasn't too pleased with Szoboszlai, whose mistake saw the deficit halved. Until Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike scored late on, the game was much closer than it needed to be as a result of the complacency.

"I don't think you should do that in an FA Cup game or League Cup, a friendly game or even a training session," the Liverpool head coach said.

"It's a weird choice and I also have my opinion about it. But I prefer to keep that to myself and speak about that with Dom.

"I was happy with the goals we scored — they were nice goals. But I think it was a game that was tight for far too long because at 2-0 and then giving a goal away like that made it difficult it until 5-10 minutes before the end.

"So yeah, good goals but not enough chances from all the ball possession we had."